THE mother of five-year-old Kayden Fleck yesterday described him as "our everlasting angel" amid heartbreaking scenes at the little boy's funeral in Ballymena.
Kissing his coffin for one last time and clutching each other for support, his devastated parents Leanne and Darrel broke down in tears as they said their final good-byes to their son.
The Co Antrim town came to a standstill as hundreds of people packed into Ballymena Elim Church to pay their respects to the schoolboy following his tragic death.
Many mourners lined the streets close to the church as Kayden's coffin, which was adorned by images of his favourite superhero character, Spiderman, was carried to the service.
The superhero was also present, helping to carry the child's coffin and comforting Kayden's twin brother Jayden, who wore a Spiderman hat to the service.
The two boys had been playing near the Ecos Centre nature reserve when they fell into the Braid River on Saturday.
Jayden was rescued immediately, but Kayden was swept for more than five miles downriver before he was pulled from the freezing water in a major rescue operation.
He was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children in Belfast, but later passed away.
His heartbroken parents had paid tribute earlier this week to their "happy-go-lucky" son and described Kayden and his twin brother Jayden as the "two musketeers".
Kayden's mother Leanne yesterday fought back tears to describe her son as "our everlasting angel" at his funeral service.
She described how her heart is "full of sadness", adding "in our dreams we hold you tight".
The little boy's aunt Samantha also read a poem during the service telling mourners to keep her nephew "close to our hearts".
"Before you go, we give you this, half of our hearts, and one last kiss," she said.
"We’ll miss you dearly, that we know. But off to heaven, now you must go."
Since the tragedy, the community in Ballymena has rallied together to support Kayden's family.
A book of condolence was opened at Harryville Primary School on Monday and has been signed by hundreds of people and a fundraising page has also been set up in memory of the boy and has raised thousands of pounds for the family.
